Service table



March '2', R950 E. B. MORGAN ET AL 2,499,668

SERVICE TABLE s Sheets-Sheet Filed May a, 1947 fig. 2

Irving llfloryan Alexander J: Plaalzeqki March 7, 1950 MORGAN ET AL 2,499,668

SERVICE TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 6, 1947 N11 '1 l 46 :1 l 1 El 45 1' if E i I 15 i i 46 1 l I, 4.9 l. i t I: ll 48 I f 49 I I 1 Alexander IPlacheclci March 7, 1950 E. B. MORGAN ET AL SERVICE TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 6, 194'! 5 3 7 z a M m 72 a 4 5 M l H 4 22 \u H m Q. 6 a Mm an i w Fig. 7

W; .3 31M 5. ZJ mm Fig.8

. I6 having horizontal upper plates Patented Mar. 7, 1950 SERVICE TABLE Erving B. Morgan and Alexander J. Plachecki, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignors to American Seating Company,

poration of New Jersey Application May 6, 1947, Serial No. 746,330

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to tables, and the primary objects of the invention are to provide an improved table of the type having spaced supporting standards or pedestals and a center rib or backbone which connects the upper ends of the standards and supports the table top; to provide all-metal standards for such a table; to provide such a table which is so constructed that it is especially rigid, sturdy and durable; and generally to provide such a table which is reasonably economical to manufacture and which is attractive in appearance.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment of the invention. In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a table;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the same;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged, horizontal sectional view of parts of the table, taken on lines 3-3 of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line E-& of Figure 3; v

Figure 7 is a perspective view of certain parts of the table as they appear prior to their assembly and showing the relationship of these parts one to another; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner in which a bookrack element of the table is installed beneath the table top.

Referring now in detail to these drawings, the table there shown comprises generally a pair of spaced upright supporting standards II], a central longitudinal supporting rib I I connecting the standards at their upper ends, a table top I2 mounted on the upper ends of the standards ID and on the rib I I and, as here shown, a bookrack I3 mounted beneath the table top at one side of the central supporting rib I I.

The supporting standards I comprise crosssectionally oval, rolled sheet metal columns l4 having suitable sheet metal feet I secured to the lower ends thereof as by welding, and toe-pieces I! inserted in slots I8 in the sheet metal feet I5 and welded to the top of the toe-pieces I6 and within the slots I8 as best shown in Figure 6.

The longitudinal edges of the sheet metal stock forming the columns I4 are turned to form seams I9 in the inner walls of the columns, which seams are opened and flanged inwardly (with respect to Grand Rapids, Mich., a cor- 2 the table) to form clip-receiving sockets 20, as best shown in Figure '7.

Inwardly opening U-shaped clips 2I are disposed in the sockets 20 of the columns I4. Each clip 2I has a b-ight portion 22 secured as by spot welding at 23 to the upper inner surface of the outer wall of the adjacent column I4, an inwardly flanged horizontal tongue 24 on said bight portion 22, and inwardly extending leg portions 25 secured as by spot welding at 26 to the inwardly flanged inner walls of the columns. The leg portions 25 have outwardly extending flanges 21 on their upper edges which are provided with apertures 28 through which may be passed wood screws 29 for securing the table top I2 to these flanges 21.

The opposite ends of the central rib I I, which is preferably made of wood, are embraced by the clips 2I and between the leg portions 25 of said clips, and the tongues 24 of the clips extend into horizontal kerfs or slots 30 in the ends of the rib II for giving support to the rib. The rib is additionally secured to the clips 2I by fastening means comprising bolts 3| passing through aligned apertures 32 in the leg portions of the clips and through apertures 33 in the rib, said bolts having washers 34 and nuts 35 on the threaded ends thereof. It will be seen that because of the horizontal spacing between the bolts 3| and the tongue 24, a particularly rigid connection is secured between the rib I I and each of the columns I4 so that there can be no relative turning movement of these parts.

The table top I2 is secured to the rib II by means of a plurality of Z-clips 36 (see Figures 3 and 5), each of which has an arm 31 thereof extending into one of two upper longitudinal grooves 38 in the opposite faces of the rib I I, and these Z-clips 36 have apertured arms 39 through which pass wood screws 40 for fastening the table top to the Z-clips.

The table top I2 is supported outwardly from its longitudinal center by means of yoke-shaped brackets II secured as by welding at 42 to the upper outer surfaces of the outer walls of the columns I4. The brackets 4I have outwardly extending flanges 43 on their upper edges, and apertures 44 in the flanges 43 receive woodscrews 45 passing therethrough and into the table top I2. Laterally extending wings 46 on the brackets 4| have inwardly turned flanges 41 on their upper edges provided with'apertures 48 through which pass woodscrews 49 for securing the table top I2 to the brackets.

It will thus be seen that a table has been provided which is simple in construction yet sturdy and durable. If desired the table may be provided with a bookrack I3 at one side thereof as shown, or with similar bookracks at both sides thereof. The bookrack shown generally comprises a horizontal bottom 50 to the upper side of which is secured by any conventional means a plurality of upright rails or partitions Z- clips 52 have apertured arms 53 secured by woodscrews 54 to the bottom 50 at the lower and inner edge of the bookracks, and arms 55 which are engageable in one of two lower longitudinal grooves 56 in the opposite sides of the rib II for supporting the bookrack at its inner side. Fastening means for supporting the book rack at its outer side comprise woodscrews '51 which are passed upwardly-inwardly through apertures 58 in the rails or partitions 5|, as best shown in Figure 8. It will readily be seen that one or two prefabricated bookracks can be quickly and easily secured to the table structure by simply inserting the arms 55 of the Z-clips 52 into a groove 53, and then inserting the screws 51 as indicated and tightening these screws.

The rib I I is so formed that its upper longitudinal grooves 38 and its upper bolt holes 33 are spaced from the top edge of the rib the same distance that'the lower grooves 56 and the lower bolt holes 33 are spaced from the bottom of the rib. The slots 36 at the ends of the rib II are midway between the top and bottom edges of said rib. Thus the rib is symmetrical with respect to any plane passing through its center and is therefore reversible in the structure either end for end or top for bottom, which arrangement makes for ease and economy in the fabrication of the ribs and in the assembly thereof into the table structure.

While but one specific embodiment of the invention has been herein shown and described it will be understood that numerous details may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as the same is defined by the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a table structure: spaced supporting standards comprising tubular vertical columns having longitudinal seams along their inner walls, the upper portions of said seams being open and the inner walls of the columns adjacent said open upper portions of the seams being flanged inwardly to form clip-receiving sockets; clips disposed in said sockets having spaced inwardly extending leg portions; a rib having each of its opposite end portions embraced between the leg portions of the adjacent clip and secured thereto; and a table top supported by said standards and fastened to the rib.

2. In a table structure: spaced supporting standards comprising tubular vertical columns having longitudinal seams along their inner walls, the upper portions of said seams being open and the inner walls of the columns adjacent said open upper portions of the seams being flanged inwardly to form clip-receiving sockets; U-shaped clips disposed in said sockets and having bight portions secured to the upper inner surfaces of the outer walls of the columns and having spaced inwardly extending leg portions secured to the inwardly flanged inner walls of the columns; a rib having each of its opposite end portions embraced between the leg portions of the adjacent clip and secured thereto; and a table top supported by said standards and fastened to the rib.

3. In a table structure: spaced supporting standards comprising tubular vertical columns having longitudinal seams along their inner walls, the upper portions of said seams being Open and the inner walls of the columns adjacent said open upper portions of the seams being flanged inwardly to form clip-receiving sockets; an inwardly opening U-shaped clip disposed in each socket and an inwardly extending tongue on the bight portion of each clip; a rib having a slot in each end thereof and having its end portions embraced by said clips with the tongue of each clip engaging in the adjacent slot of the rib; and a table top supported by said standards and fastened to the rib.

4. In a table structure: spaced supporting standards comprising tubular vertical columns having longitudinal seams along their inner walls, the upper portions of said seams being open and the inner walls of the columns adjacent said open upper portions of the seams being flanged inwardly to form clip-receiving sockets; an inwardly opening U-shaped clip disposed in each socket and an inwardly extending tongue on the bight portion of each clip; a rib having a slot in each end thereof and having its end portions embraced by said clips with the tongue of each clip engaging in the adjacent slot of the rib; fastening means passing through the leg portions of each U-shaped clip and through the portion of the rib embraced therebetween; and a table top supported by said standards and fastened to the rib.

5. In a table structure: spaced supporting standards comprising tubular vertical columns having longitudinal seams along their inner walls, the upper portions of said seams being open and the inner walls of the columns adjacent said open upper portions of the seams being flanged inwardly to form clip-receiving sockets; an inwardly opening U-shaped clip disposed in each socket and an inwardly extending tongue on the bight portion of each clip; a rib having longitudinal grooves in its opposite sides and a slot in each end thereof, said rib having its end portions embraced by said clips with the tongue of each clip engaging in the adjacent slot of the rib; a table top supported by said standards; and a plurality of Z-clips each having one arm extending into one of the grooves of the rib and its other arm secured to the table top.

6. In a table structure: spaced supporting standards comprising tubular vertical columns having longitudinal seams along their inner walls, the upper portions of said seams being open and the inner walls of the columns adjacent said open upper portions of the seams being flanged inwardly to form clip-receiving sockets; brackets attached to the outer upper ends of said columns and having laterally extending flanges; inwardly opening U-shaped clips disposed in said sockets and having bight portions attached to the upper inner surfaces of the outer walls of the columns and having spaced inwardlyextending leg portions secured to the inwardly flanged inner walls of the columns; 'a rib having each of its opposite end portions'embraced between the leg portions of the adjacent clip and secured thereto; and a table top supported by said standards and fastened to the rib and to the flanges of the brackets.

7. In a table structure: spaced supporting standards comprising tubular vertical columns havinglongitudinal seams along their inner walls; the upper portions of said seams being open and the inner walls of the columns adjacent said open upper portions of the seams being flanged inwardly to form clip-receiving sockets; brackets attached to the outer upper ends of said columns and having laterally extending flanges; inwardly opening U-shaped clips disposed in said sockets, each clip having a bight portion attached to the upper inner surface of the outer wall of the adjacent column, an inwardly extending tongue on the bight portion, and spaced inwardly extending leg portions secured to the inwardly flanged inner walls of the adjacent column and having laterally extending flanges on their upper edges; a rib having a slot in each end thereof, said rib having each of its opposite end portions embraced by the adjacent clip with the tongue of said clip engaging in the adjacent slot of the rib; fastening means passing through the leg portions of each U-shaped clip and through the portion of the rib embraced therebetween; and a table top supported by said standards and fastened to the flanges of the brackets and the clips.

8. In a table structure: spaced supporting standards comprising tubular vertical columns having longitudinal seams along their inner walls; the upper portions of said seams being open and the inner walls of the columns adjacent said open upper portions of the seams being flanged inwardly to form clip-receiving sockets; brackets attached to the outer upper ends of said columns and having laterally extending flanges; inwardly opening U-shaped each clip having a bight portion attached to the upper inner surface of the outer wall of the adjacent column, an inwardly extending tongue on the bight portion, and spaced inwardly extending leg portions secured to the inwardly flanged inner walls of the adjacent column and having laterally extending flanges on their upper edges; a rib having longitudinal grooves in its opposite sides and aslot in each end thereof, said rib having each of its opposite end portions embraced by the adjacent clip with the tongue of said clip engaging in the adjacent slot of the rib; a table top supported by said standards and fastened to the flanges of the brackets and the U-shaped clips; and a plurality of Z-clips each having one arm extending into one of the grooves of the rib and its outer arm secured to the table top.

9. In a table structure: spaced supporting standards comprising tubular vertical columns having longitudinal seams along their inner walls; the upper portions of said seams being open and the inner walls of the columns adjacent said open upper portions of the seams being flanged inclips disposed in said sockets,

extending flanges on their upper edges;

wardly to form clip-receiving sockets; brackets attached to the outer upper ends of said columns and having laterally extending flanges; inwardly opening U-shaped clips disposed in said sockets, each clip having a bight portion attached to the upper inner surface of the outer wall of the adjacent column, an inwardly extending tongue on the bight portion, and spaced inwardly extending leg portions secured to the inwardly flanged inner walls of the adjacent column and having laterally a rib having longitudinal grooves in its opposite sides and a slot in each end thereof, said rib having each of its opposite end portions embraced by the adjacent clip with the tongue of said clip engaging in the adjacent slot of the rib; fastening means passing through the leg portions of each U-shaped clip and through the portion of the rib embraced therebetween; a table top supported by said standards and fastened to the flanges of the brackets and the U-shaped clips; and a plurality of Z-clips each having one arm extending into one of the grooves of the rib and its other arm secured to the table top.

ERVING B. MORGAN. ALEXANDER J. PLACHECKI.

REFERENCES @ITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 922,919 Lawrence May 25, 1909 1,179,955 Ohnstrand Apr. 18, 1916 1,225,234 Fox May 8, 1917 1,357,050 Hatherne Oct. 26, 1920 1,630,492 Kusterle May 31, 1927 1,649,805 Brainard Nov. 22, 1927 1,678,392 Hursch et al. July 24, 1928 1,679,017 Athans July 31, 1928 1,694,656 Huetten Dec. 11, 1928 1,770,500 Wege July 15, 1930 1,858,381 Vance May 17, 1932 1,875,635 Merrill Sept. 6, 1932 1,876,999 McCaslin Sept. 13, 1932 1,924,989 Hallowell Aug. 29, 1933 1,982,868 Herold Dec. 4, 1934 2,163,049 Merrill June 20, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 447,330 Great Britain May 15, 1936 

